University of Manchester research warns that burnout, low job satisfaction, and poor work–life balance could push a third of GPs in England out of patient care within five years
A University of Manchester study has revealed that a significant proportion of general practitioners in England are considering leaving direct patient care in the coming years. Factors such as burnout, low job satisfaction, poor work–life balance, and the expectation to work while unwell are driving many GPs toward early exit, raising concerns about the future capacity and stability of primary care services across the country.
The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, sheds new light on the current GP workforce crisis.
The urgent GP workforce crisis across England
For the first time, researchers have identified how GPs in England are becoming less engaged in their work, and how these signs often lead to the decision to quit their role in patient care. Before this study, international and national evidence have showcased the growing exodus of GPs; however, it was unknown what the warning signs are and how they are linked.
In an online survey of 351 GPs from 57 practices, up to one in three GPs experienced symptoms of burnout (27%) and expressed a moderate to high intention to quit patient care within the next five years (33%).
Also from the study, one in five (19%) GPs reported low job satisfaction, two in five (41%) indicated poor work-life balance, and up to one in four (27%) reported working while unwell over the past year.
Burnout and low job satisfaction are driving GPs out of patient care
Further analysis showed that symptoms of burnout and low job satisfaction were the factors most directly linked to GPs’ intentions to leave their roles, even when other work-related factors were taken into account.
The findings suggest that burnout and job dissatisfaction are key drivers influencing GPs’ decisions to leave patient care within the next five years.
Other signs of work disengagement, such as working while unwell or having a poor work-life balance, were more indirectly linked to quitting, often through their effect on burnout and low job satisfaction.
Lead author Dr Christos Grigoroglou, a health economist from The University of Manchester, said:
“We found that job dissatisfaction and burnout are likely to be immediate signals that GPs are at high risk of quitting direct patient care. Poor work-life balance and working while unwell were also indirectly linked.
“This is why there is an urgent need to address these issues if we are to improve GP retention. If we do not, primary care may face unprecedented difficulties.”
The researchers are calling for support for GPs, such as fair compensation, professional development and a supportive work environment, to improve job satisfaction. Preventative measures such as flexible working and fostering a supportive culture that encourages taking sick leave without stigma could improve work-life balance and reduce the tendency to work when unwell.
Principal investigator, psychologist Professor Maria Panagioti, said: “These findings highlight that GP retention policies should incorporate job satisfaction and wellbeing as core strategies to retain GPs.
“Additionally, improving work-life balance and reducing working while unwell can serve as effective early preventative measures to reduce burnout and job dissatisfaction — and in turn, help retain GPs.”
